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I was thinking of something along the lines of Professional Leaf Collection & Shredding.....I need to have this added to the trucks and the trailers we pull, there hasn't been a rush as I don't know that we will get everything done that we have on the books.

The other day when I worked for Deere doing the deom of their new 60D excavator and 644 Payloader, I was wearing a Deere staff uniform and I drove my new Jetta, I didn't want prospects to know who I was although two had seen me before.

I talked to at least 60 landscaping companies, not one was having a very good year, one guy I ended up selling a smaller excavator to said it's his worst year in 15.

The fellow I mentioned a while ago who is a neighbour, been in the business as long as I can remember, does pretty good work but his equipment really needs paint, it looks terrible, showed up. We chatted and I showed him three sizes of excavators are their ability. anyhow he said he only did 7 jobs this year, I never once mentionedd how busy we are, he once again mentioned he would be interested in selling to me and then working for me, so because I know him I let him try a mini excavator, we had a lot of piles of dirt, I told him to put a 25 degree grade on a pile, I watched him closely, very slow and the work was not what I would accept from an excavator operator. One could argue but it's a different machine, every excavator operates the same, the only difference is power.

So whatever we are doing and it seems we are trying everything I can think of, is working and working very well, if this is considered a bad year due to the economy, good lord I have no idea what we will do to handle business in 2010 but I have a few months to figure that out.

Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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andy you have me very interested in this DR vac. Sometime yet this fall could you post a pic of what the leaves look like when shredded to a 10-1 perhaps a handful to view? I think my unit does a fair job & am guessing a shred of 5-1 with gator blades.

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There are big differences between the two units however, I did a five acre property today using gators and the Dr. Vac, I dumped twice, it took two of us two hours and I charges $350.00, customer gave us each a 50 dollar bill tip, perhaps it is your hook up or the tractor you are pulling it with, the place I did has a class 3 sepitc system, 30 degree grade, not one issue, I am pulling it with a X749 traction is not an issue with this unit...anyhow just curious and thanks for responding...the leaves were on average 5" thick, we were all shocked at the results/\.

Your making me want to get myself a X749 now............

one day

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andy you have me very interested in this DR vac. Sometime yet this fall could you post a pic of what the leaves look like when shredded to a 10-1 perhaps a handful to view? I think my unit does a fair job & am guessing a shred of 5-1 with gator blades.

The problem is I am running the high lift gators, which mulch them before they hit the unit, this is how I am getting 20++ to one, I can take a pic tomorrow and post.

Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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The other day when I worked for Deere doing the deom of their new 60D excavator and 644 Payloader, I was wearing a Deere staff uniform and I drove my new Jetta, I didn't want prospects to know who I was although two had seen me before.

I talked to at least 60 landscaping companies, not one was having a very good year, one guy I ended up selling a smaller excavator to said it's his worst year in 15.

With everyone seeming to be having a bad time, what is your assessment on why this is the case? How can they all be having a bad time?

Why do you feel they were even at the demo? I would figure if they were having a bad year, they wouldn't be in the mood to buy new equipment from Deere.

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With everyone seeming to be having a bad time, what is your assessment on why this is the case? How can they all be having a bad time?

Why do you feel they were even at the demo? I would figure if they were having a bad year, they wouldn't be in the mood to buy new equipment from Deere.

Although Halifax is a fairly large city, it's a small world and it gets around if you do not good good work. If you do good work, it also gets around, at one site we were looking at yesterday and I was there to do some excavation work, we had three people as if we could stop by there place, I told them I would try however we are not taking on any further projects this year and have had to put some off until April, it was interesting as they wanted us all the more....no idead Steve, I know we do good work, stand behind what we do and the staff have a super personality when dealing with clients, this is something I watch and I insist on.

I have no idea why they are having a hard time however to make it in this business and make seroius coin, presentation is everything, of all the people I met, talked to and did a demo for there are not many I would hire personally, I don't want to get into details as I am in no porition to jusge others, all I know is what we do and how we do it is working, and working very well.

There were a lot of tire kickers at the demo, they come because they don't have a lot to do, an excuse to get some time off and a chance to try equipment they do not own.

Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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It really is a fascinating topic because if you think about it you have a group of people who at first glance all potentially look similar. They all potentially can perform similar work. They can all talk and interact. Yet when it comes down to business, you have a group who seems to want to operate their own businesses but they don't seem to be doing too well.

It makes me wonder if there are a few step they or anyone else for that matter could implement that could absolutely change their results.

Do you think it comes down to a few things, maybe not necessarily for that specific group, but for everyone, that defines whether we will find success or failure in business or life?

Or is it more than just a few things. Does it become more of a question of desire and drive? And if it is a question of desire and drive, can that be taught or is that just something that springs from within for reasons that may be difficult to explain?

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Have you had the chance to use your DR vacuum again ? What about the chipper. I'd like to see more pics when you get a chance

No, we have four excavation/landscape jobs on the go and there are still leaves to come down. They told me when I ordered to not expect stellar results from the chipper as it's really made to shred leaves and man the quality is top drawer. I doubt the chipper will ever be used as we have three commercial units designed for this.

Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

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Though not as big as Andy, I agree with his assesment. One can not speak, look, or operate as if he has just fallen out of Fido's ***. Respectfuly to all here there was once a post on an ugly work shoe contest. While maybe all in fun you or your crew must not look or operate as such. You are who you hang with...

Rush Limbaugh sums it up pretty well for success. Be and do the best you can and then some. search for excellence & strive to be the best